A Christmas Present to Myself – A Box of New Beginnings

This is my final week as a licensed real estate sales representative. I have been struggling with the decision to leave all year. After my husband retired, I wanted to spend more time with him and to go on longer trips. It was clear that I could not provide top level service to my clients if I was going to be gone several weeks or months a year. So….. as my license was coming up for renewal in January, I finally wrapped up all my concerns about not having a specific plan for the future and decided to gift that freedom to myself.

As I have been telling my friends and clients of my decision, the first question that almost all of them have asked is “What are you going to do about your blog?”. I am going to continue. I have lots of experience to draw from, lots of thoughts and some ideas of activities that will keep me in the house-related area.

For the time being, I am going to enjoy the holidays ahead. In January, I will open the box of new beginnings and see what is in store.

Wish me luck!!!

Photo credit: Gift @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/72153088@N08/6510934443/

Lookie Loos

Lookie Loos are often Sunday house shoppers.  They are people who go out to see what their neighbours have in their homes.  Some Sellers will not have Open Houses because they know the neighbourhood “Loos”.   I say, “Bring them on”.  Lookie Loos may have friends and relatives who would appreciate the advanced work and will not be…….

Window Shoppers  

Fixtures and furnishings

You may want to strip everything from your house that is not nailed down. If you are asking premium price, Buyers will know it.  Getting your price while keeping all of the appliances, light fixtures, drapes, tracks and garden shed is not a successful strategy. 

Make your sale by leaving things – On The House.

Two peas in a pod

Have you rented a pod to fill up with your clutter & stuff while your house is on the market?  Please do not leave that pod on your driveway when the For Sale sign is posted.  It is an eye sore.  Potential Buyers and your neighbours will be put off.  Have the pod removed to storage while you wait for the Sold sign.

Store until your sale is in the bag.

Blue Boy and Pinky

Nothing says “Grandma lives here” more than the needlepoint pictures of the Blue Boy and Pinky.  You may have inherited these pictures.  They are dear to your heart.  To a Buyer they just say – old, tired and dusty.  Any old pictures, needlepoint or paint by number, that were completed 40 – 75 years ago need to stored before your house is on the market.  

Let Blue Boy have his day in hallways at the “home”.

The chicken or the egg

What comes first, your neighbourhood or your house?  The old adage of “location, location, location” should tell you that you choose your neighbourhood first and then you look for the house.  You can always renovate and change a home but you cannot change the neighbourhood.

Buy where you want to live.

Chachkas and knickknacks

These are those many, tiny decorative bits that we spread around our homes.  When the house goes up for sale the chachkas need to be boxed up.  One or two are fine but take away the myriad of little vases, picture frames, biddy animals from Tetley tea and grandma’s porcelain flowers.  They collect dust and distract buyers.

Set your goal for clear clean horizontal surfaces.

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Pease porridge hot

When the market is really hot, you will want to have your house listed right away.  Think twice.  Even if you are not going to stage your house, you will increase its value by doing necessary repairs and cleaning.  Buyers are picky and want to get value for their money. 

When it comes to the market;  Some like it hot, some like it cold .

Some like it on MLS, nine days old.

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Slow cooker

Avoid putting your meal into the slow cooker before having an Open House.  No matter how good the food will smell to you, it will not be to everyone’s taste.  If you want, put a few apples, a bit of water and some sugar and cinnamon in the cooker.  Apples have almost universal appeal

Make sure your house sale isn’t a crock.

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Tub of trouble

You are looking at a home to buy and there is a wonderful tub in the bathroom.  You see yourself with candles, soft music and bubbles.  Now you need to know if you fit in the tub.  DO NOT try out the tub with your shoes on.  Would you do this at home?  Don’t leave  behind scratches, marks and ruined acrylic.

You may be marking your own territory.

 

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